The Needs of Foster Children.

Introduction and goal

Given the often complex history and the fact that living in a foster family differs from a ‘normal’ child-care situation, it can be assumed that children living in a foster family have specific needs. The goal of this study is to get an overview of the needs of foster-children and contribute to an understanding of their developmental needs. The experiences and knowledge from foster parents is used as foster parents play a vital role in the lives of foster children. The main research question of this study is: “What are the needs of foster children according to foster parents and can we differentiate between needs-based groups?”. Additionally this study aims to find to what degree the most important needs of foster children are met and to what degree a history of sexual abuse, the number of negative experiences, the quantity and quality of contact with biological parents and the number of family placements impact the child’s needs.

Method

A sample of 23 foster parents was reached through two foster care organization's, Facebook and acquaintances of the researchers. These parents were asked to sort 45 needs from ‘most unimportant’ to ‘most important’ according to the Q-sort method and discuss their decisions in a semi-structured interview. In addition parents filled in the ACE-questionnaire (Adverse Childhood Experiences, Felliti et al., 1998) and a researcher-designed survey. A by-person factor analysis was conducted to identify the need-based groups. Comparisons between the need-based groups were made using non-parametric tests.

Results

Three need-based groups were identified with the by-person factor analysis: “Youths that want to be normal” and are very focused on their foster family, “Youths who are self-determined” and want to influence their own lives while keeping some distance between them and adults, and “Youths that are searching” for their place between their foster family on the one hand and their biological parents on the other. The results showed that the needs of “Youths who are self-determined” were met significantly less in comparison with the other two need-based groups. According to all foster parents, a sense of a warm home, the opportunity to be yourself and to be more than just a foster child are the most important needs of foster children.

Conclusions and recommendations

The fact that we could distinguish between different need-based groups signifies the importance to identify specific needs both in research and practice. Specific attention needs to be given to a child’s needs in any foster home placement. In addition it is important to ask foster children about their needs on a regular basis and adjust care accordingly. Studies on foster children should be more attentive to their needs.